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She smiles and slides into the empty seat next to Sorina.
“A toast,” my father says, raising his beer. “To Lily’s swift recovery, the health of my soon-to-be grandchild, and to this wonderful group of people.”
“Here, here,” several people echo around the table.
I raise my bottle and take a long draw. It’s been a while since drinking appealed to me. After my drunken night with Maria, it became clear alcohol and I should part ways. With everything that’s happened though, the beer tastes better than it normally would.
A scream erupts from the other room. My chair clacks against the floor as I dart toward Lily’s open door.
My heart pounds in my ears making it hard to hear Dr. Monroe’s voice as she barks orders at me. Lily’s eyes are open and wild, darting around the room. She’s awake but detached like she’s seeing something other than what’s in the room.
“Hold her down,” Elaine barks.
Dresden pushes into the room, climbs on the bed and holds Lily’s thrashing legs as I hold her arms down.
“Let me go,” she screams. “Let. Me. Go.”
“Calm down, baby, breathe,” I say over her.
She’s stronger than expected for her body being in less than perfect shape. I press down on her shoulders, holding her upper body against the mattress. Her hands grip my biceps, nails digging into my skin as she holds on as if her life depends on it. She stares into my face, fear evident in her blue irises.
“Don’t put me back to sleep,” she begs, tears welling up and sliding down her cheeks.
Elaine sticks a needle into the IV hook up and slowly sends medication through. Within moments, Lily’s body relaxes, and her eyes droop closed. She’s back to the angelic sleep as if nothing happened.
“I mixed Seroquel with it. Should keep the nightmares at bay,” Elaine says, breathing heavy.
Dresden gently gets up and fixes the blankets around Lily’s legs, his eyes tight with emotional pain. He pats me on the back, and I lean forward pressing my lips to her eyes, nose, cheeks, and lips.
“Rest, baby,” I whisper. “I’m right here.”
The door clicks closed, and I give into the pain shooting through me, sobbing into the pillow next to her head. She’ll be better soon, I’ve got to believe that, and then we can go from there.
I’m sorry, baby. You’re going to be fine.
13
~Lily~
A slow beep penetrates the fog swirling around inside my head. My body is nestled in warmth and softness. I will my eyes to open, and slowly, the lids obey and a soft light, tinged yellow floods my vision.
This isn’t my room.
A heart monitor and several other machines beep and ding next to the bed. Movement catches my attention from the corner of my eye, startling me, my breath catching in my throat. I jump— my body aching, stiff, and sore. It’s like I
haven’t moved in months.
Blake’s head is resting on his hands, which cover my left one. A smile spreads across my face. He’s got stubble on his chin and cheeks. It’s not like him not to shave. Gently, I cross my right arm over my body, the tightness in my shoulder making me wince. His hair is soft under my fingertips and emotion blankets me, fierce, just like the first time I laid in his arms.
He grumbles and lifts his head, eyes going wide as he realizes it’s me touching him. His chest rises and falls, lips planting kisses on the back of my hand, my fingers, and my engagement ring.
“Hi,” I croak.
“Hey, baby. Welcome back. Let me get the doctor.”
“Blake, I need to get up. I need to pee and get a drink.”
“Lily, stay put, please,” he says in alarm.
